Mrs. Louis got emotional.
This made sense. After all, she hadn't become Ballard's legal wife after living with him for more than
twenty years.
Seeing Mrs. Louis' angry expression, Ballard also flew into a rage.
"Then what do you want me to do? I've already lost a son for you, and now Tim refuses to return home.
After I die, my sons are the legitimate heirs to the family's fortune. Also, as the breadwinner, Tim makes
your luxurious lifestyle possible! He is indeed a little disrespectful to you, but he never kicks you out of
this house. Although you don't have a marriage certificate, I've always regarded you as my legal wife!
Don't be too greedy!"
Frightened by Ballard's angry roar, Mrs. Louis suddenly broke down in tears.
"So you blame everything on me now? When sleeping with me back then, you forgot that you still had a
wife and Tim was just a child, didn't you?"
"That's enough! If you keep being ridiculous, then get out of this house!"
After saying those harsh words in anger, Ballard slammed the door and left. Mrs. Louis was so furious
that she cried loudly in the living room.
The servants didn't dare to say anything, so they just focused on their work and kept silent.
After coming out, Ballard was still depressed.
For so many years, he had always been guilty after quarrelling with Tim. If he hadn't betrayed his wife
back then, his family wouldn't have been like this. However, as Tim's father, he found it hard to put
aside his pride and admit his mistakes.
Judging from Jacob's words, he guessed that Tim might have gone into trouble. This made Ballard feel
sorrier for him.
Tim had been used to solving problems by himself, and he hadn't asked him for help for a long time.
Tim even turned the tide by himself when the Louis family almost went bankrupt last time.
Ballard wanted to ask Tim how he had revitalized the family business. However, in fear of Tim's
sarcasm, he didn't dare to ask him.
No matter what, Ballard had always been proud of Tim, even though he never admitted it.
On this point, Ballard appreciated his first wife. Without her guidance, Tim wouldn't have become such
an excellent man.
For the first time, Ballard wanted to go visit his first wife.
So many years had passed, and he wondered how she was doing in the sanatorium.
In the past, Ballard didn't have the heart to go see her, but now, he didn't dare to go. But for the sake of
Tim, he still mustered up the courage to set off.
Employees in the sanatorium knew about Ballard, but they weren't familiar with him. After hearing that
he was Martha's husband, they wanted to call Tim, but Ballard stopped them.
"I just came to see her. Don't inform my son."
"But Mr. Tim said that no one is allowed to see Ms. Martha Close except him."
Hearing the nurse's words, Ballard was a little sad.
"There's no need."
With that, he went straight to Martha's room.
Sitting in her wheelchair as usual, Martha was staring at the sky in a daze.
This was the first time Ballard had seen Martha in more than 20 years.
Age had left its traces on her face.
She had even gone grey.
However, her temperament didn't change at all. She still looked aloof and unapproachable.
If it hadn't been for her personality, perhaps he wouldn't have cheated on her.
As Ballard thought this, he walked to Martha's side.
"What are you looking at?"
He asked in a low voice.
Without turning around, Martha still looked at the sky outside.
Just when Ballard thought she would keep silent, Martha suddenly spoke.
"It's going to rain soon. Tim didn't bring an umbrella. I wonder if the servant has sent one to him."
Her words put a lump in Ballard's throat.
"Tim has grown up. He can take good care of himself now."
"Tim suffers from stomach problems lately. I want to cook for him, but I am so feeble. Pamela doesn't
allow me into the kitchen. Why hasn't Tim returned yet?"
Martha didn't seem to hear Ballard's words and she continued talking to herself.
Seeing her like this, Ballard was instantly gripped by distress.
The nurse whispered to Ballard, "Mr. Louis, Ms. Martha's mental state isn't so good recently. You'd
better not remind her of any painful memory. She has committed suicide several times."
Only then did Ballard see the wounds on Martha's wrist, which were like countless daggers piercing
into his chest.
Tears welled up in his eyes in an instant.
"Martha, I'm sorry about everything I've done to you. It was me who destroyed our family and caused
so much pain to you and Tim. But things have already turned out like this. I can't sit back and watch her
and my other son suffer, right? I'm truly sorry."
Ballard confessed in a low voice.
But for Martha, he was no different from the furnishings in the room.
Martha had been living in her own world without paying any attention to her surroundings.
Ballard had wanted to ask Martha about the difficulties encountered by Tim, but after seeing Martha like
this, he gave up this idea.
After staying here for a while, Ballard could no longer stand the subdued atmosphere. He quickly got
up and left.
He failed to notice that the moment he left the room, tears rolled down Martha's cheeks.
Seeing that Ballard had left, the nurse immediately called Tim.
"Mr. Tim, your father came to see Ms. Martha just now. She remains calm, but we still need to inform
you of this."
After Tim heard the nurse's words, his eyes narrowed.
"Who let him in? You bunch of idiots! I've told you that he isn't allowed to visit her. Do pay close
attention to my mum today. If anything happens to her, I won't let you off!"
Tim was extremely uneasy.
He knew best that Martha hated Ballard's guts.
What was wrong with Ballard today?
How come he went to the sanatorium to see Martha?
Tim was so angry that he immediately called his father.
"Ballard, if you are too bored, just go travelling with your woman or do anything you like, but don't go
visit my mother again. You've forgotten her for so many years. Why did you suddenly come to harass
her? If my mother commits suicide again, I won't let you off. Believe it or not, I'll go back and set fire to
your house!"
Tim's voice was so loud that Ballard felt he nearly went deaf.
"You brat! You have no right to stop me from visiting her. She's my wife!"
"I'm surprised that you still remember this! I beg you to let her go, and please divorce her as quickly as
possible! My mother isn't qualified to be your wife, nor does she want to. Don't you already have a new
one? Please stop disgusting my mum with your feigned care, okay?"
Tim's unpleasant words completely dissipated Ballard's sense of guilt.
"How can you speak to me like that? I am your father! I went to your mum because I was afraid you
might get into trouble! Don't treat my kindness as dirt! Also, I've never heard of anyone begging his
parents to divorce!"
"There are many things you haven't heard of. Even if anything happens to me, it has nothing to do with
you. Since I was a child, you've never cared about me. Are you qualified as a father? You're only
concerned about Louis Group's shares and I am just a money maker to you. If we weren't related, I
wouldn't have served you long ago. I warn you not to see my mother again! Get it?"
After saying that, Tim directly hung up.
Feeling a twinge of anger, Ballard couldn't help stamping.
Tim had indeed gone too far!
This son was born to go against him, wasn't he?
Boling with rage, Ballard went home.
Tim was worried about her mother's condition. He knew it was inappropriate to trouble Nicole and
Samuel again, but he didn't know who else to ask for help.
He couldn't leave Bordeaux, for he still had some things to deal with. But he was quite worried about
Martha's condition.
After thinking twice, Tim called Nicole.
Samuel wanted Nicole to have a good rest, so he took her phone to the study.
When the phone rang, Samuel saw it was from Tim. After hesitating for a moment, he answered it.
"She just got off the plane and is having a rest now. Tell me if you have something urgent."
Samuel's cold voice came through the phone.
Tim was a little depressed, but he whispered, "Please do me a favor."
"Go ahead."
"Ballard went to the sanatorium to see my mum today. Most of her sufferings come from my dad and
me. I have no idea what he said to my mum, and I'm afraid she will get emotional again. She
committed suicide many times and was nearly close to death. If it weren't for me, my mother would
have died a long time ago. I can't leave Bordeaux, so I bother you and Nicole to help me check on her."
Tim rarely mentioned these things to others.
Nicole had long known about this, and Samuel also knew a little. But Tim still felt a little embarrassed.
Out of his surprise, Samuel agreed without any hesitation, "I will be there right away."
"You'd best come there with Nicole. My mother is afraid to face men alone, including me. Sometimes
she even refuses to see me. I'm truly sorry to trouble you two."
"Since you are so polite today, Nicole and I will help you with this. Is everything okay in Bordeaux?"
"Yes. After settling all things, I'll try my best to rush back, and please take care of my mum before that."
"No problem."
Samuel hung up and rubbed his temples.
He hadn't worked so hard for a long time.
After saving the files related to his unfinished work, Samuel got up and stretched before walking
towards the bedroom.
Nicole was still sleeping. It seemed that she was indeed worn out.
Samuel's heart ached for Nicole. If possible, he didn't want to exhaust her anymore, but he had
promised Tim to bring her over.
"Nicole, it's time to get up."
Samuel patted Nicole's cheek gently.
Nicole was woken up, but she was still drowsy. Seeing Samuel in front of her, she yawned and said,
"It's getting dark, right? Is it time for dinner now?"
"You are such a foodie. It seems that Zoe has inherited this from you perfectly."
Hearing Samuel's teasing words, Nicole directly shook off his hand.
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